Someone asked me to try to explain where the ideas for stories come from.

The answer? They come from everywhere. Everyday life. Your existence.

I get my ideas in visual formats.  If I can see the “scene” in my mind, then I can write it.  I need to be able to watch it happening as if I was sitting in front of the television.  Maybe that’s my “entertainment” background coming through, I don’t know.  But if I can’t picture it, then I can’t write it.

My muse?  Music.  And for some odd reason, right now it seems to be Nickelback.  The idea for the manuscript I’m currently working on popped into my head while I was driving to meet up with my BFF for lunch and a movie.  I had the radio cranked, listening to “Dark Horse”,  and an image popped into my head.  A scene.  And somehow it just stuck in my subconscious and wouldn’t leave me alone.   It started with a niggling little plot bunny, and has expanded into almost a full blown novel idea.  Listening to music (specific songs) over and over again will clarify the images until I can almost touch the scene as it unfolds around me.

Does it work for everyone?  I’m not sure.  All I know is that it seems to be working for me, so I’m not going to argue with it!  Crank the tunes and away we go!

- Nika